This is a day of great joy Chez Opéra Chic: at OC headquarters the party is on. The Krug's flowing to celebrate the birthday of a great maestro -- and the author of one of Opera Chic's favorite pieces, the Poème de l'Amour et de la Mer: so give it up for Ernest Chausson. Send a shoutout to Maestro Barbirolli and la divina Ferrier, because it's right. And then party like it's (Jan 20) 1855.
^^^^^UPDATE^^^^^
I forgot to add that the excellent Chausson essay in the Andante link above is written by the mighty Jessica Duchen, novelist/journalist/critic/operalover/catlover, always present in Opera Chic's blogroll, in her FireFox's History, and in her thoughts.